U.S. patent application number 11/206023 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-23 for digital camera.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kenichi Funato, Kenji Kojima.
Application Number | 20060038917 11/206023 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35909255 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060038917 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Funato; Kenichi ; et
al. |
February 23, 2006 |
Digital camera
Abstract
A digital camera comprising: a main unit with a display device
attached to a palm or back of a hand; an image-pickup section
attached to any one of fingers; a detection device which detects
bending of a plurality of fingers; and a control section which
changes an operating mode of the image-pickup section or display
device according to the state of bending of the plurality of
fingers detected by the detection device.
Inventors: |
Funato; Kenichi; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Kojima; Kenji; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
35909255 |
Appl. No.: |
11/206023 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/376 ;
348/E5.025; 348/E5.042 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/2251 20130101;
H04N 5/23218 20180801 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/376 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/225 20060101
H04N005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 20, 2004 |
JP |
2004-241165 |
Claims
1. A digital camera comprising: a main unit with a display device
attached to a palm or back of a hand; an image-pickup section
attached to any one of fingers; a detection device which detects
bending of a plurality of fingers; and a control section which
changes an operating mode of the image-pickup section or display
device according to the state of bending of the plurality of
fingers detected by the detection device.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the
image-pickup section comprises a substantially ring-shaped main
unit which is attached to the finger and provided at an end of a
rod section which extends from the control section and a camera
section provided in a manner freely movable around the
substantially ring-shaped main unit.
3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the detection
device comprises a plurality of myoelectric sensors.
4. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the detection
device comprises a plurality of myoelectric sensors.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more
particularly, to a digital camera which can easily take pictures
without holding the camera by hand to get ready for taking
pictures.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Digital cameras (electronic cameras) are becoming widespread
rapidly in recent years. This digital camera as well as a
conventional camera for a silver-salt film is designed to be held
by hand to get ready for taking pictures.
[0005] However, the problem with such a camera is that a user
always has to hold the camera by hand so as not to lose photo
opportunities, and so at least one hand is not free, which is
inconvenient. This also applies to a camera-equipped cellular phone
which is being widely used in recent years.
[0006] Against this background, there is a proposal on a digital
camera whose mechanism is attached to gloves, avoiding
inconvenience when no picture is taken and at the same time
allowing the user to immediately snap pictures without losing photo
opportunities (see Japanese Patent Application Laid Open
No.2003-18443).
[0007] This proposal relates to a digital camera having a structure
in which a camera lens is attached to the back of a glove, other
mechanisms (battery, memory, etc.) are attached to other parts of
the glove and a shutter switch is attached to a finger of the glove
so as to operate the shutter switch by bending and stretching the
finger.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Though such a digital camera is not obtrusive when no
picture is taken and prevents losses of photo opportunities, a
great disadvantage with such a camera is that it cannot make full
use of various functions of a common digital camera.
[0009] That is, a common digital camera is furnished with a general
image taking mode (single-exposure mode), continuous-exposure mode,
movie mode (video), play mode, zoom mechanism, macro mechanism,
etc., and these functions can be fully used by various operation
sections. However, the digital camera disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application Laid Open No.2003-18443 can perform a level of
operation not higher than just operating a shutter switch, which is
not good enough as a digital camera.
[0010] The present invention has been implemented in view of such
circumstances and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a digital camera which is not obtrusive when no picture is
taken, can immediately start to take pictures so as not to lose
photo opportunities, allows a operating mode to be changed through
operation by fingers and can make full use of various
functions.
[0011] In order to attain the above described object, the present
invention provides a digital camera furnished with a main unit with
a display device attached to the palm or the back of the hand, an
image-pickup section attached to any one of fingers, a detection
device which detects bending of a plurality of fingers and a
control section which changes an operating mode of the image-pickup
section or display device according to the bending state of bending
of the plurality of fingers detected by the detection device.
[0012] The present invention is a digital camera including a main
unit, image-pickup section and control section that can be attached
to a hand, providing excellent performance which is conventionally
not available such as allowing an operating mode to be changed
according to the bending states of a plurality of fingers, keeping
the camera unobtrusive when no picture is taken, allowing an
immediate start of image taking so as not to lose photo
opportunities and making full use of various functions as the
digital camera through finger operations.
[0013] Here, the display device of the "main unit with a display
device" need not always be physically integrated with the main
unit. For example, this may also include a state in which the main
unit is attached to the back of the hand, the display device is
attached to the palm, and both are connected by a signal cable.
[0014] The image-pickup section of the present invention is
preferably attached to the finger and is provided with a
substantially ring-shaped main unit placed at an end of a rod
section which extends from the control section and a camera section
provided in a manner freely movable around the substantially
ring-shaped main unit. When the image-pickup section is rotatable
around the finger in this way, image pickup is possible whether the
back of the hand faces an object or the palm faces the object,
which improves the function as the digital camera.
[0015] Furthermore, the detection device of the present invention
is preferably made up of a plurality of myoelectric sensors. The
use of such myoelectric sensors for the detection device allows
bending of a plurality of fingers to be detected without
constraining the operation of the fingers, which provides excellent
operability for a photographer.
[0016] The present invention provides excellent performance which
is conventionally not available such as keeping the camera
unobtrusive when no picture is taken, allowing the user to
immediately start to take pictures so as not to lose photo
opportunities and making full use of various functions as the
digital camera through finger operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view of an appearance of a digital camera
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the inner structure of the
digital camera according to the embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a front view of an appearance of a digital camera
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIGS. 4A to 4D are front views of image-taking states in
various modes; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic view assuming a state in which the
digital camera of the present invention is used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] With reference now to the attached drawings, preferred
embodiments of a digital camera according to the present invention
will be explained in detail below.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a front view of an appearance of the digital
camera 10 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1,
the digital camera 10 is attached to one hand 12 for use. This
digital camera 10 is made up of a main unit 14, a control section
16 which also serves as a wristband, an image-pickup section 18
attached to a finger and a rod section 20 which connects the
control section 16 and the image-pickup section 18.
[0024] The main unit 14 is fixed to a finger-less glove 22 and
attached to the back of the hand. An organic EL display 24 is
provided in the center of the main unit 14 as a display device.
This organic EL display 24 functions as a viewfinder when taking
pictures or functions as a display device (display) when
reproducing pictures.
[0025] That is, the organic EL display 24 principally displays an
image, displays an image (through video) taken by an image-taking
lens 48 which will be described later so as to check the image to
be taken before the image is actually taken, reads or reproduces
and displays a recorded image from a memory card 64 (see FIG. 2)
loaded in the digital camera 10.
[0026] A detection device 26 is provided at an upper edge of the
main unit 14. This detection device 26 is made up of four
myoelectric sensors 28, 28 . . . . The respective myoelectric
sensors 28 are arranged so as to contact the roots of the
forefinger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger to detect
bending of the respective fingers. That is, the myoelectric sensors
28 are electrodes which detect myoelectric signals produced by
movement of the muscle of the photographer and these myoelectric
signals are sent to the control section 16.
[0027] The technology of detecting myoelectric signals observed
from the skin surface of a human body and associating the
myoelectric signals with movements of various parts of the body is
a publicly known technology (Japanese Patent Application Laid Open
No.7-248873). An inner memory of a CPU 50 which will be described
later prestores data which defines a relationship between
myoelectric signals and movement of muscle, is assigned camera
control commands for predetermined movements of fingers and stores
data which defines the correlation.
[0028] Then, the CPU 50 controls the operation of the camera
according to a command corresponding to the movements of the
fingers of the photographer detected through the detection device
26.
[0029] The main unit 14 is connected to the control section 16
through a signal cable 30 led out of the lower edge.
[0030] The control section 16 which also serves as a wristband
holds the rod section 20 upright. A ring section (finger ring) 20A
is provided at an end of this rod section 20 and the ring-shaped
(finger-ring-shaped) image-pickup section 18 is connected at the
top of the ring section 20A in a rotatable manner. As shown in FIG.
1, this ring section 20A and image-pickup section 18 are attached
to the forefinger for use.
[0031] In the state shown in FIG. 1, the image taking lens 48 of
the image-pickup section 18 is directed frontward so that an image
on the side of the back of the hand can be taken. On the other
hand, when the image-pickup section 18 is rotated so that the image
taking lens 48 faces the opposite side, an image on the palm side
can be taken. Inside the image-pickup section 18, a CCD
(image-pickup element) 52 (not shown in FIG. 1) is disposed at the
image-forming position of the image taking lens 48.
[0032] The control section 16 is provided with a character display
liquid crystal panel 17. The character display liquid crystal panel
17 displays information on the state of the camera and image-taking
mode, etc., (so-called image-taking status) and displays, for
example, a remaining amount of battery and the number of frames
available for image taking.
[0033] The image-pickup section 18 and the control section 16 are
connected together by a signal cable (not shown) disposed inside
the hollow rod section 20.
[0034] Though not shown in FIG. 1, a memory slot for loading the
memory card 64 as a recording medium is provided inside the control
section 16. An image taken is recorded and saved as image data in
this memory card 64 by a card reader/writer (see FIG. 2) 63 which
is incorporated in the digital camera 10 and a recorded image can
also be read from the memory card 64.
[0035] In this embodiment, for example, a smart media is used as
the memory card 64, but a PC card, flash memory card, IC card,
floppy disk, magneto-optical disk (MO), etc., can also be used as
the recording medium.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the inner structure of the
above described digital camera 10. The digital camera 10 is
principally constructed of an operation substrate 70 making up a
zooming magnification instruction device and a zoom center position
instruction device, a central processing unit (CPU) 50, a CCD 52,
an analog signal processing section 54, a digital signal processing
section 58 making up a frame display device and an image-pickup
device, a display memory 66 making up a display device, an organic
EL display 24, a card reader/writer 63 and a memory card 64,
etc.
[0037] The operation substrate 70 is connected to the various
operation members shown in FIG. 1 in the circuit and outputs
instruction signals to the CPU 50 based on signals of the detection
device 26 according to the states of bending of a plurality of
fingers of the photographer.
[0038] The CPU 50 outputs a control signal to the digital signal
processing section 58 based on the inputs of instruction signals
from the operation substrate 70 and controls the respective
circuits in a concentrated manner. Furthermore, the CPU 50 controls
a lens drive section 48A to drive the image taking lens 48 to carry
out a zooming operation (by a zooming motor, etc.), focus control
(by a focusing motor, etc.), etc.
[0039] The CCD (image-pickup element) 52 converts light of an
object whose image is taken in and formed by the image taking lens
48 to signal charge in an amount corresponding to the amount of
incident light. This signal charge is successively read from the
CCD 52 as a voltage signal (image signal) and added to the analog
signal processing section 54. The image-pickup element is not
limited to this CCD and a CMOS image sensor, etc., can also be
used.
[0040] The analog signal processing section 54 applies required
analog processing such as sampling and white balance adjustment to
the image signal added from the CCD 52. The analog signal
processing section 54 also causes the A/D converter 56 to convert
the image signal subjected to the analog processing to image data
(digital data) and output the image data to the digital signal
processing section 58. The CCD 52, analog signal processing section
54 and A/D converter 56 are operated synchronized with one another
by a timing signal from the timing generator (TG) 57.
[0041] The digital signal processing section 58 applies digital
processing such as gamma correction to the image data (image data
of all pixel areas of CCD 52) input from the analog signal
processing section 54 (A/D converter 56) as required and outputs
this image data to the display memory 66 (memory 60).
[0042] Furthermore, when the CPU 50 inputs a control signal for
controlling zooming magnification at the zoom center position to
the digital signal processing section 58, the digital signal
processing section 58 carries out digital zoom processing which
extracts image data of zooming magnification centered on the zoom
center position from the image data, generates an image
corresponding to one screen and takes in this image as an image in
the digital zoom area in addition to the aforementioned digital
processing such as gamma correction.
[0043] Furthermore, the digital signal processing section 58, which
makes up the frame display device, adds image data of an enlarged
frame to the image data subjected to the digital zoom processing.
This enlarged frame shows the size and position of the digital zoom
area relative to the all pixel areas (or the entire area) based on
the digital zoom area with respect to all the pixel areas (or
entire area of the image recorded in the recording medium) captured
by the CCD 52. The image data with the enlarged frame added is
output to the display memory 66.
[0044] The memory card 64 records and saves the image data. Based
on signals of the detection device 26 corresponding to the states
of bending of a plurality of fingers of the photographer or when
recording instructions are input through other switch operations,
the CPU 50 outputs a control signal to the digital signal
processing section 58, reads image data corresponding to one frame
from the CCD 52, the digital signal processing section 58 applies
the aforementioned digital processing or digital zoom processing
and then this image data is written into the memory 60.
[0045] The enlarged frame is not added to the image data written
into the memory 60. The image data written into the memory 60 is
subjected to compression processing by a compression/expansion
circuit 62 and recorded and saved in the memory card 64 by the card
reader/writer 63.
[0046] The organic EL display 24 displays the image (through video)
written in the display memory 66. When the mode is set to an
image-taking mode and the display of the through video is turned ON
based on signals of the detection device 26 according to the states
of bending of a plurality of fingers by the photographer or through
other switch operations, image data is successively loaded from the
CCD 52 into the digital signal processing section 58, the image
data is successively subjected to digital processing (digital zoom
processing and addition of enlarged frame) by the digital signal
processing section 58 and the image data is then written into the
display memory 66. The image data of the display memory 66 is
successively rewritten with newly loaded image data, which causes
the organic EL display 24 to display the through video.
[0047] Furthermore, the organic EL display 24 can also display
images recorded/saved in the memory card 64. When the mode is set
to the play mode and any one piece of image data recorded in the
memory card 64 is specified to be reproduced through a
predetermined operation, the image data is loaded from the memory
card 64 by the card reader/writer 63, subjected to expansion
processing by the compression/expansion circuit 62, then subjected
to digital processing by the digital signal processing section 58
and displayed on the organic EL display 24 through the display
memory 66.
[0048] In the digital camera 10 having such a structure, the image
data subjected to digital processing by the digital signal
processing section 58 is displayed on the organic EL display 24 and
the photographer can check the image of all pixel areas of the CCD
on the organic EL display 24 (same size exposure). Furthermore,
when the photographer performs zooming in/out operation, the
digital signal processing section 58 performs digital zoom
processing, image data with the enlarged frame added is displayed
on the organic EL display 24 and the photographer can check the
zoom center position of zooming magnification on the organic EL
display 24 (digital zoom function).
[0049] Furthermore, the digital signal processing section 58
carries out digital processing on the image data recorded/saved in
the memory card 64 and the photographer can check the image data
recorded/saved in the memory card 64 on the organic EL display 24
(same size play). Furthermore, when the photographer performs
zooming in/out operation at this time, digital zoom processing is
performed and the image data with the enlarged frame added is
displayed on the organic EL display 24 (play zoom function).
[0050] Though not shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the control section
16 is provided with various switches other than the above described
detection device 26 and battery, etc. The detection device 26 is
provided with four myoelectric sensors 28 and it is possible to
change the operating mode by a combination of states of bending of
a plurality of fingers as will be described later. However, since
this combination alone is not sufficient, the control section 16 is
provided with, for example, a power switch, white balance
adjustment switch sensitivity (ISO) changeover switch, etc.
[0051] Next, another embodiment of the digital camera according to
the present invention will be explained. FIG. 3 is a front view
showing an appearance of a digital camera 10' according to the
present invention. The same members as or similar to those of the
digital camera 10 shown in FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference
numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.
[0052] What the digital camera 10' differs from the digital camera
10 shown in FIG. 1 is that the organic EL display 24 is fixed to
the finger-less glove 22 and attached to the palm, not to the back
of the hand. Adopting such a structure allows the photographer to
take pictures with the palm directed frontward.
[0053] As in the case of the digital camera 10 shown in FIG. 1, the
image-pickup section 18 is rotatable around the finger, and
therefore pictures can be taken whether the back of the hand is
directed to the object or the palm is directed to the object.
[0054] Furthermore, though not shown, the main unit 14 is fixed to
the finger-less glove 22 and attached to the back of the hand as in
the case of the digital camera 10 shown in FIG. 1 and it is
possible to detect bending of fingers by the detection device
26.
[0055] Next, the operation procedure of the digital camera 10, 10'
having such a structure will be explained. First, the power switch,
etc., is operated to put the camera in an image-taking standby
status. When a photo opportunity appears, pictures are taken in
various modes. FIGS. 4A to C show image-taking states in various
modes. Of these states, FIG. 4A shows a finger state in which the
forefinger and middle finger are stretched, while the thumb, ring
finger and little finger are bent and when this finger state is
set, a single-exposure (one picture is taken) is performed.
[0056] FIG. 4B shows a finger state in which the forefinger, middle
finger and ring finger are stretched, while the thumb and little
finger are bent and when this finger state is set, a
continuous-exposure (a plurality of pictures are taken) is
performed.
[0057] FIG. 4C shows a finger state in which all five fingers are
stretched and when this finger state is set, movie taking (motion
picture taking) is performed.
[0058] Next, the operation procedure of the digital camera 10 in a
play mode will be explained. First, a play mode is set by operating
the power switch, etc., of the control section 16. Then, a recorded
image is displayed on the organic EL display 24. FIG. 4D shows a
frame advance state in this play mode. That is, this is a finger
state in which the thumb is stretched, while the forefinger, middle
finger, ring finger and little finger are bent. When this finger
state is set, frame advances are made in the play mode.
[0059] The finger states shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D above are only
examples and it is also possible to change the mode corresponding
to the finger state according to the frequency of use. In this
case, the various switches of the control section 16 are operated
while checking the display of the character display liquid crystal
panel 17.
[0060] FIG. 5 is a schematic view assuming a state in which the
digital camera 10 according to the present invention is used. In
this figure, a video image of another player during a sport is
taken in a moving image state. Thus, according to the digital
camera 10 of the present invention, it is possible to easily
perform picture taking by a player himself/herself or mutual
picture taking among the players during a sport. Therefore, it is
possible to easily take picture in a state in which it is not
possible to hold the camera by hand to get ready for taking
pictures outdoors, etc.
[0061] As explained above, the digital camera according to the
present invention frees the photographer from a conventional style
of holding the camera by hand to get ready for taking pictures and
allows the photographer to easily take pictures in a state in which
the photographer cannot hold the camera by hand. Furthermore,
pictures can be taken or reproduced by detecting a sign of the
fingers, the sign can also serve as a sign of picture taking.
Furthermore, a wearable camera unit is provided, which also
contributes to an expansion of communication elements accompanied
by a body language.
[0062] The embodiments of the digital camera according to the
present invention have been explained so far, but the present
invention is not limited to the above described embodiments and can
be implemented in various modes.
[0063] For example, four myoelectric sensors 28 are used as the
detection device 26 of this embodiment, but other structures can
also be used. An example of this structure is one in which an
all-finger glove or half-finger glove is used instead of the
finger-less glove 22 and a distortion gauge is placed at the root
of the back of each finger. According to this structure, the root
of the back of each finger of the glove stretches/bends in response
to stretching/bending of the finger and the resistance of each
distortion gauge changes accordingly. Therefore, it is possible to
make full use of the function as a switch by detecting this change
in the resistance.
[0064] Furthermore, this embodiment is also provided with an
optical zoom mechanism, etc., as in the case of the conventional
digital camera, but it is also possible to limit the camera to a
structure in which a minimum necessary function can be displayed in
order to enhance the aspect as a wearable camera unit.
[0065] This embodiment has adopted the reflection type organic EL
display 24 as the display device, but it is also possible to adopt
elements of other types such as a plane display, for example,
liquid crystal display element.
[0066] All the explanations above have described examples of a
digital camera, but similar effects can also be obtained in devices
with a built-in image-taking function such as cellular phone and
PDA.
* * * * *